I was so excited about passing the stress test (although I won't hear the "official" results until next week after the doctor looks them over), that I didn't mention I met Dr. Daniel Brison, one of the doctors who will remove my kidney.
Even though I read a lot about the operation, it was exciting to hear Dr. Brison tell me exactly what he will do. Normally the left kidney is taken. He looked at my results and said, yes, that's the one. He then said it was "abnormal" insomuch as it has an extra vein (most kidneys have one protruding from it). He said not to worry because only about 20% of the population have a "textbook" inside. Doesn't that make them abnormal and the rest of us normal?
Anyway, he drew diagrams of the laparoscopic incisions (on the paper you sit on when you're examined ... I took it home). He then drew larger incisions by my rib on straight down the abdomen (and around the bellybutton) in case something happens that would cause them to have to do repairs on organs or stop the bleeding. Once again he reassured me this is rare and not to worry.
He drew diagrams of how my organs are situated around the kidney and where the cuts would be (they keep the vein as long as possible so the doctor who is doing the transplant has a lot to work with). He also said they do two operations every Tuesday and Wednesday and the patients recover quickly (two days in the hospital, back to work in a week...if all goes well).
Dr. Brison said after the operation, I will meet the recipient if he or she wishes. He said many form a bond. I hope this happens with us as well!
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